DARTMOUTH

Both certificates landscape 8vo, 1 p. Each on paper, backed with contemporary cloth. The two texts are in the same secretarial hand, variously signed by Bourmaster and Bastard (both lieutenants at the time). Clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Both documents with Paterson's name given as 'Patterson'. The first certifcate concerns Paterson's service on the St Antonio (Captain George Anthony Tonyn) as Able Seaman, from 28 November to 2 December 1767, and from 3 December to 31 October 1768. It is signed 'Jo Bastard s Lt'.

Dimensions of paper roughly 4 x 6.5 cm. Good, although with slight wear at left and small part of loop at beginning of signature crossing over a printed vertical line. Docketed in pencil 'Lord Treasurer'.

For this eccentric club see 'The History of I Zingari' by R. L. Arrowsmith & B. J. W. Hill (1982). From the Mark Bonham Carter archive. Roughly five inches square. In poor condition: grubby and creased with several closed tears. Text entirely legible. Ink notes on back (by Bonham Carter?) including picture of sailing ship and reference to Somerset Maugham Prize. Reads 'The Governor, I Zingari, has pleasure in sending you a "Testamur" as a proof that you have successfully passed the probationary period.